7 Best Day Trips from San Sebastián

Award-winning cuisine, charming beaches, corners of series like Game of Thrones, the route of San Ignacio de Loyola, film festival, movie cliffs, rich culture ... There are several things to see and do in San Sebastian and neighboring areas.

With this post I help you make the most of your visit with the best excursions around San Sebastian. Are you ready? Because it starts now!

Explore a traditional Spanish winery and vineyard with its own collection of wines. This type of excursion from San Sebastian is an oenological, cultural and gastronomic adventure through La Rioja to seduce your senses. Taste a variety of Spain's finest wines at a relaxed pace in the countryside, but not before strolling through two charming villages.

This type of tour often includes stops in San Vicente de la Sonsierra and Briones. In the first village you catch excellent panoramic views of the Ebro River, the walled buildings and the sea of vineyards at the foot of the Toloño mountain range.

The next stop is usually in Briones, with its streets stranded in the past. The Ermita del Cristo de los Remedios hermitage and an imposing Gothic church - the Iglesia de la Asunción - , the ancient sandstone buildings that together place this region among the most beautiful in La Rioja.

Details of interest

• Price: From 255 € per person.

• Duration: 8-9 hours.

• What you should know: The village fiestas are great fun and, you can enjoy them if you schedule this excursion during the last weeks of June.

• What the excursion may include: Transfer to and from your accommodation. Lunch. Tour of the wineries. Wine tasting. Local guide service.

Feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of San Sebastian? You are in luck. On this type of Hondarribia, San Pedro and San Juan tours you explore these fishing villages during a relaxing excursion from Donostia.

The first stop often takes place in Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía in Spanish), right on the border with France. Hondarribia is one of the most beautiful towns on the coast of Gipuzkoa. Stroll through the port, the old town and the famous Marina district, which is well worth a visit.

After stopping at a terrace, you go on to the old fishing village of San Juan (Pasaia) before crossing the bay of San Pedro by boat. These two colorful villages are part of the road to Santiago de Compostela from the north. Passing through its bay is the best way to tour Guipuzcoa, plus you can stroll around the Albaola Factory where the ship San Juan was built.

The distance between Donostia and Hondarribia - only 25 kilometers from the center of San Sebastian - makes this half-day excursion perfect for escaping the hectic city life, not to mention that the accommodation on offer is significantly cheaper than in San Sebastian.

Details of interest

• Price: From 50 € per person.

• Duration: 4-5 hours.

• What you need to know: The passage through the Albaola Factory and the boat ride surrounded by a colorful landscape makes it attractive to share with the family.

• What the excursion may include: Transfer to and from your accommodation. Professional guide service.

If you are looking for a getaway that combines maritime history, coastal scenery and a rich gastronomic tradition, this excursion to Pasajes is an excellent choice. Discover this charming fishing port and its surroundings while touring one of the most authentic corners of the Basque Country.

The excursion begins in Pasajes de San Juan (Pasaia Donibane), a small fishing village with narrow streets, stone houses and a history linked to the sea. You will stroll through its old town and learn about its links with great explorers, such as Blas de Lezo. From there, the excursion continues to Pasajes de San Pedro, where you will find the Albaola Museum, a shipyard that reproduces traditional Basque ships and offers a fascinating vision of navigation in past centuries.

In addition to its rich history, Pasajes is an ideal destination to enjoy the local gastronomy. During the excursion, you can taste fresh fish and seafood in a restaurant overlooking the harbor, a must for lovers of Basque cuisine.

Interesting details

• Price: from 60 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus with expert guide.

If you are looking for a unique experience in the Basque Country, this excursion to Zumaia, Zarautz and Getaria is a perfect option to combine nature, culture and gastronomy. Along the way, you will visit stunning coastal landscapes, charming fishing villages and enjoy the exquisite Basque cuisine.

The excursion begins with a visit to Zumaia, famous for its spectacular geological formation known as Flysch, a succession of cliffs that reveal millions of years of history. This place is so impressive that it has been the setting for movies and series. Then, the tour continues to Getaria, a picturesque fishing village known for being the birthplace of the explorer Juan Sebastian Elcano and for its tradition in the production of txakoli, a local white wine.

The last stop is Zarautz, a destination famous for its long beach and lively promenade. Here, you can enjoy a break to try the famous Basque pintxos and discover why this area is considered a gastronomic paradise.

Details of interest

• Price: From 58 € per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• What you should know: The hikes are usually long, it is recommended to wear sneakers for comfort.
• **What the excursion may include **: Shuttle service to and from the hotel. Transfer by minibus or private car.

The Basque Country is rich in natural jewels, avant-garde architecture and history, and spirituality has an important footprint in this last point. In Gipuzkoa, three of the most important temples in Spain are located just 6 kilometers from San Sebastian's Paseo Marítimo:

Sanctuary of Loyola - Azpeitia

The route to the three temples follows the Ignatian Way, where art and spirituality become one, following the pilgrimage route that St. Ignatius of Loyola made in 1522 on his way to Jerusalem.

It is the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola. There he was born and grew up to become a knight of the royal court. The Jesuits were born there, who, guided by the saint, built this sanctuary during the 17th century.

The Hermitage of Santa María: La Antigua - Zumárraga

This hermitage is a faithful exponent of the Basque Romanesque style and is considered the Cathedral of the hermitages in San Sebastian. The oak woodwork in the interior of the Hermitage of Santa Maria is worthy of admiration. It is said that the saint prayed there before undertaking his pilgrimage to Jerusalem and later the space was a key piece during the wars after the 18th century.

Sanctuary of Arantzazu - Oñati

It is said that the image of the Virgin Mary appeared to the shepherd Rodrigo de Baltzategi in 1468. The event was quickly commented as a miracle and a modest sanctuary was built.

St. Ignatius of Loyola chose this place to pray his last vigil before going to Montserrat. From the structure remained the faith and the land, which was later modified by almost a dozen Basque architects until the imposing Sanctuary of Arantzazu was built.

Details of interest

• Price: From 196 € per person.
• Duration: 6-7 hours.
• What you need to know: It is possible to go directly from the airport. In those cases where you visit San Sebastian in 2 days or you have a tight schedule, it is convenient.
• **What the tour may include **: Round trip transportation service from the hotel. Entrance fees to the three temples. Lunch.

This excursion is ideal for those who wish to explore the surroundings of San Sebastian in 1 day. The tour takes you to some of the most beautiful places on the Basque coast, such as Guernica and its Peace Museum, the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, while the left wave of the Biscayan coastline of Mundaka and the fishing village of Bermeo catch you with their sea breeze.

The first stop of the tour is usually thePeace Museumof Guernica, where you learn all about the tragic bombing that took place there during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The museum was inaugurated in 1981 and displays various works of art and artifacts related to this event.

Moving on with the excursion, you head to Mundaka, on the border of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Once there, you make your way to discover the picturesque fishing village and its coastline, famous for its surfing waves that attract professional surfers from all over the world.

The last stop of the excursion is Bermeo, a traditional fishing village that among the cliffs and rocks of the Biscay coast, showcases the Basque coastal lifestyle at its best.

Details of interest

• Price: From 205 € per person.
• Duration: 8-9 hours.
• What you should know: During the summer they celebrate: the Basque Festival or Euskal Jaia, the feast of San Pedro, as well as various surfing competitions. And in February, the Euskadi Carnival, one of the oldest and most popular in Spain, attracts thousands of visitors. If you want to participate in the busiest tourist season, make sure your trip is during these seasons.
• What the excursion may include: Round trip transportation service from the hotel. Entrance fees to the Gernika Peace Museum. Lunch. Professional guide service.

During this excursion you will be able to attend mass in the basilica and visit the House of Bernadette as well as stroll through the sanctuary itself to learn about the history of Lourdes. You will also have time for private contemplation or prayer at this sacred site.

Lourdes is a 2-hour drive from San Sebastian and during the first leg of your tour, your guide will take you to visit the heart of Lourdes, including a stop at theChateau Fort, where you can take in breathtaking views of the countryside and surrounding area from the top.

Daily masses are held here for visitors seeking spiritual renewal or healing through prayer. Once mass is over (which lasts about an hour), you can go to the cave or crypt of the Immaculate Conception and, drink water from the miraculous spring that gushes from the grotto where the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous.

You can then exploreBernadette 's House before returning to San Sebastian.

Details of interest

• Price: From 260 € per person.
• Duration: 7-8 hours.
• What you need to know: This type of excursion is often done in small groups so the time at each stop is adjusted to the group.
• What the tour may include: Round trip transportation service from your accommodation. Entrance fees to the Castle and Sanctuary in Lourdes. Lunch. Professional guide service.